Backed by Unite the Union, workers have been on an overtime ban since 2 January 2016 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Due to a disagreement regarding pay, Kier workers were on strike outside its recycling depot in Keynsham last week (Friday 8 January).
According to Unite’s regional officer, Jerry Pickford, further strikes are scheduled for Thursday and Friday this week, and then the same days every week up until the middle of February or until the dispute is settled.
Payment
Talks have been ongoing between Kier and Unite the Union since September, with Unite members requesting an increase to their £7.81 per hour salary.
In a statement, a Kier spokesperson said: “We are really frustrated and disappointed that Unite refused to move from a position of demanding a 20% pay increase, rejecting an industry-leading offer totalling 12% over the next 18 months: 3% now backdated to July 2015, 4% in July 2016 and 5% in July 2017, choosing instead to end talks and enter a 24 hour strike last week.
“We are very sorry for the disruption that the strike is causing residents, but unfortunately due to strike laws we are unable to use any additional resource to offset the impact of the strike.”
Mr Pickford and Unite have argued that the offers from Kier have been too low to consider and that the 20% pay increase equates to around £1.80 over the course of the entire contract, which is set to end in 2017.
“At Unite we would obviously like to see all disputes come to an end and in the interest of everyone we would like to see the matter settled as soon as possible. The ball is in their (Kier’s) court,” he added.
Disruption to service
Due to a continued overtime ban and strike action, residents in the Bathnes area have had delayed recycling collection services for over a week.
To try and handle the issue, the council has stepped in to work with Kier and clear the backlog of recycling and food waste. From today (Monday 11 January), the council has brought in additional crews to clear the remains left from Thursday’s and Friday’s collection.
A statement from the council said: “We are doing our utmost but it will take time to resolve this difficult situation, which is not of our making. We appreciate that residents are being inconvenienced, so we thank you for your patience.”
In addition, Kier have set up a webpage to explain the temporary changes and disruption to the recycling and food waste services in the area.
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